Exercise device with body fat monitor

ABSTRACT

An exercise system with a body fat monitor. The exercise system includes biometric sensors including a body fat sensor. Some of the electrodes used by the biometric sensors are used by more than one sensor. A body fat monitor is linked with the exercise device and includes a processing assembly that uses an impedance sensed by the body fat sensor in combination with user data to determine a body fat percentage of the user. The body fat percentage is then displayed to a user. Historical values of the body fat percentage are stored and can also be displayed to a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. The Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to exercise devices. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to systems, methods, andexercise devices for measuring and monitoring biometrics of anexercising user and more specifically to systems and methods formeasuring the body fat of a user.

[0003] 2. The Relevant Technology

[0004] In recent years, there has been an increasing interest amongindividuals to monitor and improve themselves physically. Typically,individuals are able to physically improve themselves by setting goalsrelating to diet and exercise. Many of these individuals have differentreasons for beginning an exercise program. Some individuals aremotivated to reduce the risk of certain life-shortening or debilitatingillnesses, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes,while other individuals simply want to lose weight. Some individualssimply desire to maintain their health.

[0005] The ability of people to persevere in an exercise program isincreased if people are able to monitor their progress and see theresults of their exercise program. A person who wants to lose weight,for example, may write down the weight on a weekly basis. Over time,that person is able to view their progress and determine whether theirexercise program is helping them achieve their goal.

[0006] One of the ways that exercise programs help individuals achievetheir goal is by monitoring certain biometrics. One commonly measuredand monitored biometric is heart rate. In fact, heart rate is often usedto establish an exercise program that helps a user improve their health.For example, some exercise programs establish a target heart rate thatthe user must achieve and maintain as they exercise. The benefit theyreceive from exercising may be increased because they are exercisingproperly. Tailoring exercise to a heart rate may only be done, ofcourse, if the heart rate is monitored as the user exercises. Often,users strap sensors to their bodies in order to monitor their heartrate. Body weight and blood pressure are other biometrics that peoplemonitor to help them improve their health.

[0007] Another biometric that is used to monitor exercise is body fat.This biometric does not typically change significantly during a singleexercise session. However, body fat is a useful indication of a person'shealth and provides excellent feedback that reflects how the user'shealth is improving over time. Measuring and monitoring percent bodyfat, however, is a more difficult task.

[0008] One generally accepted method for measuring a person's body fatis to immerse the person in a tank of water and measure the amount ofwater that is displaced. Calculations are then performed to determinethe person's percent body fat. Unfortunately, this method is verydifficult to implement in practice because it requires a large tank ofwater and some reasonably expensive equipment to operate. Additionally,the person must take the time to go to the location of the tank to havetheir body fat measured and pay a relatively large sum of money eachtime the test is performed. This is inconvenient and expensive forpeople that wish to monitor their percent body fat on a frequent basis.

[0009] Currently, portable machines are available which allow anindividual to calculate his or her body fat percentage without going toa remote location. Unfortunately, many of these devices require anindividual to hook up various wires or electrodes to particular parts ofthe body in order to effectuate these measurements. These devices taketime to connect to the body and are not easily used while the person isexercising. Improper use of these devices may also result in inaccuratemeasurements.

[0010] Although the knowledge of an individual's body fat percentage isof considerable value, it would be more useful to be able to quickly andeasily take these measurements on a regular basis, such as over a periodof weeks or months. Such historical information is particularly valuableto individuals who are on a diet or fitness program as an indication ofthe progress they are making in reducing body fat or weight over aperiod of time.

[0011] Many individuals who are undertaking a program of regularexercise would like to have the ability to measure body fat percentageon a regular basis without having to go to a location specifically tohave the measurement done or pay large sums of money. Additionally,these individuals would like to be able to monitor such body functionsas heart rate while they are using a particular piece of exercise deviceto ensure they are getting the maximum benefit, both out of the workoutroutine and the exercise device itself.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] These and other limitations are overcome by the presentinvention, which relates to exercise systems and devices that measureand monitor biometrics including, but not limited to, body fat, heartrate, and/or body mass index (BMI). The present invention includes abody fat sensor and/or a heart rate sensor that may be used before,during, or after an exercise session. The present invention is also ableto track a user's body fat over time and provide workout routines basedon a user's body fat. A user's BMI can be tracked and adjusted as theweight of the user changes.

[0013] In one embodiment, the exercise device includes a frame that isconnected with an operable member such as a belt assembly on a treadmillor a pedal assembly on an elliptical device. A monitoring assembly islinked to the frame and includes a console that is positioned such thata user easily views a display on the console as the user exercises. Thedisplay of the console conveys a user's body fat percentage after it ismeasured. The display is also able to display historical values of theuser's body fat percentage.

[0014] The monitoring assembly typically has a pair of electrodes thatmay be coupled to handles grasped by a user. The handles may beconnected to the console, but the handles can alternatively be part ofthe frame or of the operable member of the exercise device. Theelectrodes can be used by, for example, a body fat sensor and/or a heartrate sensor, and may be integrated into the handles. In one embodiment,at least one of the electrodes in each handle is shared by both the bodyfat sensor and the heart rate sensor. When a person grasps a handle ineach hand, the electrodes are used to send signals through the person'sbody that may be analyzed. The body fat sensor, for example, uses asignal to determine the person's impedance. In another embodiment, theelectrodes are linked to the exercise device independently from thehandles.

[0015] The impedance obtained from the body fat sensor may be used in aregression analysis to determine the user's body fat percentage. In oneembodiment, more than one regression analysis is available to themonitoring assembly. The regression analysis used to determine aparticular user's percent body fat may be determined from the user'sbody mass index (BMI). In addition, the regression analysis may alsoincorporate user data including the user's weight, height, age, and/orsex when determining the user's body fat percentage.

[0016] User data such as weight, height, age, and sex may be stored bythe monitoring assembly for multiple users such that the body fat orother biometrics of multiple users may be stored and monitored. When thebody fat of a particular user is measured, the percent body fat isdetermined and then displayed on the console of the monitoring assembly.The console also has the ability to display the user's progress in termsof body fat as well as suggest a workout routine based on the user'sbody fat. The console may also display the user's progress in terms ofother biometrics.

[0017] The BMI of a user is typically defined by the weight and theheight of the As user. As a user exercises, the user's weight is likelyto change. The monitoring assembly can track and adjust a user's BMI asthe user's weight changes over time. The BMI can be displayed to theuser. In one embodiment, historical values of the BMI are stored suchthat a history of the user's BMI can also be displayed. In this manner,a user can track his or her progress using the BMI.

[0018] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be setforth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention.These and other features of the present invention will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, or may belearned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] To further clarify the above and other advantages and features ofthe present invention, a more particular description of the inventionwill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that areillustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention willbe described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exercise systemcomprising: an exercise device linked to a monitoring assembly inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment of a monitoring assemblythat includes a console connected to handles having electrodes mountedthereon; and

[0022]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the monitoring assembly illustratedin FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present invention generally relates to systems, methods, anddevices for measuring a user's biometrics including a user's body fatand/or heart rate. More particularly, the present invention relates toan exercise system that has a body fat monitor for measuring a user'sbody fat and/or a heart rate monitor for measuring a user's heart rate.In one embodiment, the biometric sensors share a common or referenceelectrode.

[0024] As used herein, “exercise device” includes, but is not limitedto, treadmills, stationary bicycles, stair stepping equipment,elliptical machines, or other device usable by a user to performexercise programs or regimes. Each exercise device typically includes anoperable member that is used primarily for exercise. For example, atreadmill includes a belt assembly that permits a user to run, jog, orwalk. Both stationary bicycles and elliptical machines typically havepedal assemblies that enable a person to pedal or run as needed.

[0025] The present invention is described herein in context of atreadmill, which is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a treadmill 10, but one ofskill in the art may appreciate that the present invention may be usedwith other exercise devices. The treadmill 10 includes a tread base 20that is movably connected to a frame 12. The connection between thetread base 20 and the frame 12 enables the tread base 20 to be loweredor raised as needed by a user. When the tread base 20 is lowered asillustrated in FIG. 1, the treadmill 10 may be used for exercise. Whenthe tread base 20 is raised, the treadmill 10 cannot be used forexercise and is usually stored until the tread base 20 is lowered foruse. Other treadmills may include tread bases that are fixed and areunable to be moved between an exercise position and a storage position.

[0026] The tread base 20 of treadmill 10 has a left side 16 and a rightside 18. As illustrated, the left side 16 and the right side 18 arespaced apart and are in general alignment. The tread base 20 has anendless belt 24 positioned between the left side 16 and the right side18. The endless belt 24 or tread is part of a belt assembly and isconfigured to receive a user thereon to perform exercises such asrunning, walking, jogging, etc.

[0027] The frame 12 provides support for the treadmill 10. Therefore,the components of treadmill 10 are supported by the frame 12 and may beconsidered as being linked to the frame 12. The frame 12 is configuredto be freestanding and to stably support the treadmill 10. The frame 12includes an upright structure 14 that supports tread base 20 and has aleft upright member 19 and a right upright member 21 spaced from leftupright member 19 and in general alignment therewith. The frame 12further includes, in this example, a left support member 54 and a rightsupport member 52. The support members 54 and 52 may be used, forexample, to help a user maintain balance or provide support to the useras the user performs an exercise.

[0028]FIG. 1 is an example of an exercise system 8 comprising anexercise device 10 that is linked to a monitoring assembly 100.

[0029] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 illustrates that exercisesystem 8 of the present invention has a monitoring assembly 100comprising (i) a console 200 linked to the frame 12 of device 10; and(ii) electrodes electrically coupled to the console 200. The console 200is positioned between the left upright member 19 and the right uprightmember 21 such that a user may easily view the console 200 when the useris positioned on the endless belt 24. The console 200 has operatingcontrols that may be controlled by a user to operate the treadmill 10.The console 200 further includes one or more displays that may be usedby the user to identify various parameters associated with the exercisebeing performed. Although references made to the console 200 as beingdisposed between upright members 19 and 21, one skilled in the art mayappreciate that the console 200 may be coupled to only one of theupright members 19 and 21, whether or not the same is between theupright members 19 and 21.

[0030] The console 200, in this illustration, is connected to a handle202 and a handle 204. The handles may be integrally coupled to theconsole 200 or coupled thereto through a variety of different manners.In this example, electrodes for one or more biometric sensors aremounted in handles 202 and 204. The sensors are typically containedwithin the console 200. The handles 202 and 204 are positioned so that auser may grasp handles 202 and 204 while exercising or while resting.The electrodes in the handles 202 and 204 are used to pass a signalthrough the user's body or are used to detect signals generated by thebody. One of skill in the art may appreciate that the electrodes of thepresent invention may be coupled to a variety of different structures,such as respective handles, the frame, the console, or one or moreoperable members, for example, but may, in another embodiment, be heldby the user independently of such structures.

[0031] A processor (not shown) included in the console 200 analyzes thesignals from the electrodes to determine the biometric being measured.In this example, the handles 202 and 204 have electrodes for a heartrate sensor and a body fat sensor mantel thereon. In addition, thesensors share a common or reference electrode. Each handle 202 and 204has a reference electrode contact thereon that typically has the samepotential. In one embodiment, the biometric sensors may be mounted in orto the frame 12.

[0032] In another embodiment that is also illustrated in FIG. 1,electrodes for the biometric sensors are mounted in the support members52 and 54. In each case, the electrodes are electrically connected withthe biometric sensors, regardless of where the electrodes are located.This permits the electrodes to be placed in any useful location relativeto the frame 12, the console 200, or more generally exercise device 10.The electrodes may also be configured to be held directly by a user ormay be located in one or more handheld devices that are separate fromthe exercise device but in communication with the console 200. This mayenable the user to more easily hold the electrodes while the user'sbiometrics are measured.

[0033]FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a monitoring assembly 100that includes a console 200. The monitoring assembly 100, may be linkedto the frame 12 (FIG. 1) of the exercise device 10. The console 200includes biometric sensors that may detect and measure variousbiometrics that include, but are not limited to, user's percent body fatand a user's heart rate. In this example, the biometric sensors aremounted in the console 200 and the electrodes are integrated with thehandles 202 and 204. The handles 202 and 204 are configured to begrasped by a user and the biometric sensors may measure or detectbiometrics of the user when the user is in contact with the electrodesof the biometric sensors. The handles 202 and 204 are connected to theconsole 200. Alternatively, the handles can be mounted on the frame oroperable member of the exercise device.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment, the biometric sensors may bemounted directly in the frame 12 (FIG. 1) of the exercise device orother suitable location as previously stated. The electrodes embedded inhandles 202 and 204 are typically flush with the surface of the handles202 and 204 and are electrically isolated from each other in eachrespective handle 202 and 204. Alternatively, the electrodes may beraised from the surface of the handles 202 and 204 to ensure electricalcontact with a user when the user grasps the handles 202 and 204.

[0035] In one embodiment, the body fat sensor is electrically coupled toan electrode 210, an electrode 208 and one or more reference electrodes.The reference electrode may have a plurality of reference electrodecontacts 214 a-b. The reference electrode contacts 214 a-b have the samepotential on both the handle 202 and the handle 204 and serve as areference for the electrodes 210 and 208. The reference electrodecontacts 214 a-b, for example, are electrically connected together andmay be grounded. Similarly, the heart rate sensor is electricallycoupled to an electrode 206 and an electrode 209. In this example, theheart rate sensor and the body fat sensor utilize the same referenceelectrode contacts 214 a-b.

[0036] Alternatively, the heart rate sensor and the body fat sensor donot share the same reference electrode contacts. In this example, eachsensor would have a reference electrode contact that is separate fromthe reference electrode contact of the other sensor(s). For instance,each of the reference electrodes 214 a-b could be separated into twoseparate electrodes. In such an alternate embodiment, the electrodes,206, 210, 208, and 209 would be associated with a separate referenceelectrode contact.

[0037] The electrodes 206, 210 and the reference electrode contact 214on the handle 202 and the electrodes 208, 209, and the referenceelectrode contact 214 on the handle 204 are positioned such that auser's hands contact the relevant electrodes when the user grips thehandles 202 and 204. When the user is measuring only body fat, forexample, one hand is in contact with the electrode 210 and the electrodecontact 214 a while the user's other hand is in contact with theelectrode 208 and the electrode contact 214 b. In one such embodiment,the electrodes 206 and 209 are not active even though the user's handsare likely to be in contact with these electrodes.

[0038] When the user is grasping the handles 202 and 204 in this manner,a signal may be passed through the user's body, measured, and analyzedto determine the user's body fat as a percentage. In this example, thesignal may originate at the electrode 210 and be detected at theelectrode 208, however it is understood that the opposite case is alsopossible. The signal passed through the user's body is typicallydependent on the biometric being measured.

[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, the sameelectrodes may be used to measure different biometrics or othermeasurable characteristic or property of the human body. The console200, for example, may have a control that determines which biometric isbeing measured by the electrodes. In this embodiment, the electrodes 210and 208 could be eliminated and the electrodes 206 and 209 could be usedfor all biometric sensors. In this example, however, either the body fatsensor or the heart rate sensor is inactive as the signal used by theheart rate sensor to detect a heart rate may interfere with a signalused by the body fat monitor to detect body fat. Only one of the sensorsis active at a particular time. The user may provide input throughconsole 200 to activate a different sensor, which also deactivates theother sensors such that a single sensor is active. One of the sensorsmay be active by default.

[0040] The console 200 includes inputs 220, 222, and 224, such asbuttons, switches, and other controls, that are often used inconjunction with a body fat sensor or other biometric sensor. The input220, when depressed by a user, activates the body fat sensor whiledeactivating the heart rate sensor. The user then grips the handles sothat each hand is in contact with the appropriate electrodes asdescribed above and a signal is input to the user's body through theelectrode 210 in one configuration. The signal, after passing throughthe body of the user, is measured at the electrode 208. From the signal,the impedance of the user is determined; the impedance is usuallyexpressed in ohms. The impedance is then used by the console 200 todetermine the user's body fat or body fat percentage.

[0041] Body fat content as a percentage of total body weight may bemeasured by measuring the body's electrical impedance. The body'simpedance can be measured, for example, between the individual's feet,between the foot and arm, or across the trunk of an individual.Measuring a person's impedance is based, in one embodiment, on thedifferent electrical properties of various biological tissues atdifferent signal frequencies. Tissues that contain a lot of water andelectrolytes, such as muscle, are highly conductive. Fat, bone, andair-filled spaces such as the lungs are more resistive. The volume ofthese tissues may thus be determined from measurements of their combinedresistances.

[0042] In one embodiment, before the impedance may be used to determinethe user's body fat percentage, the user enters user data into theconsole 200 using a user input 250. In one example, the user dataincludes, but is not limited to, height, weight, sex, and/or age data.The console 200 includes components such as a processor, memory, andsoftware that permit various types of data to be stored and used. Theuser data can be stored, for example, in a look up table or other datastructure. Also, user data for more than one user can be stored andaccessed as needed when a biometric such as body fat is beingdetermined.

[0043] In another embodiment, the console 200 provides a connection overa computer network such as the Internet that permits a user's data to bestored remotely. The user data, for example, may be stored as a remoteweb site that tracks and analyses the user data. The data generated bythe biometric sensors may also be stored either on the console or at aremote location.

[0044] The console 200 is able to store a user's data once the data isentered and console 200 is also able to store data for more than oneuser. Before exercising, a user may use user input 250 to scroll througha list of the users stored by the console 200 until the appropriate useris found. The user can use the enter button of the user input 250 toselect the displayed user so that any measurements taken during theexercise session are associated with the that user. At this point, theconsole is prepared to measure a user's biometrics.

[0045] In one embodiment, when the user depresses the measure input 220,the electrodes in handles 202 and 204 for the body fat sensor areactivated. Next, the user is instructed on display 230 to grip handles202 and 204 such that the user's hands are in contact with theelectrodes. If the electrodes are mounted in one or more handhelddevices or component or on the frame, then the user is instructed togrip the handheld devices or component or the frame. Next, the body fatsensor measures the impedance or resistance of the user and the body fatpercentage is computed by the console 200 using, in one embodiment, aregression analysis, performed by various hardware and/or softwarecomponents and modules.

[0046] The regression analysis applied to a particular user may dependon the sex of the user and/or other characteristics. In one embodiment,the user's sex and body mass index (BMI) are used to identify theappropriate regression analysis. For example, if the body mass index(BMI) of a female user is greater than 28 a first regression analysismay be performed. If the BMI of the female user is less than 21, asecond regression analysis may be performed. If the BMI of the femaleuser is between 21 and 28, then the results of the first regressionanalysis and the second regression analysis may be combined or averaged.A similar approach may be performed for male users. As the BMI of theuser changes, the regression analysis used to determine the user's bodyfat may changes as well. Thus, the system stores and updates the BMI ofeach user periodically or when the user enters a new weight value. Bystoring current and historical values of each user's BMI, the presentinvention is also able to display a user's progress in terms of theuser's BMI.

[0047] The regression analysis often utilizes height of the user, theweight of the user, and the resistance of the user as measured by thebody fat sensor to determine the user's percent body fat. The regressionanalysis may also incorporate the age of the user in some instances. Inone embodiment, the following regression analysis is used to determine auser's body fat. In this example:

[0048] FFM=Fat Free Mass;

[0049] BW=Body Weight in kilograms;

[0050] HT=height in centimeters;

[0051] R=resistance in ohms;

[0052] BMI=Body Mass Index=BW/HT²;

[0053] % BF=Percent Body Fat; and

[0054] % BF=(100*((BW−FFM)/BW))).

[0055] For women whose BMI<21,

FM=0.000646(HT)²−0.014(R)+0.421(BM)+10.4.  (1)

[0056] For women whose BMI>28,

FFM=0.00091186(HT)²−0.01466(R)+0.29990(BW)−0.07012(age)+9.937938.  (2)

[0057] Equations (1) and (2) are averaged for a woman where 22<BMI<27.

[0058] For a man whose BMI<21,

FFM=0.00066360(HT)₂−0.02117(R)+0.62854(BW)−0.12390(Age)+9.33285  (3)

[0059] For a man whose BMI>38,

FFM=0.0008858(HT)²−0.02999(R)+0.42688(BW)−)0.07002(Age)+14.52435  (4)

[0060] Equations (3) and (4) are averaged for a man where 22<BMI <27.

[0061] After the body fat percentage is determined, it is displayed tothe user using a sensor display 240, such as one or more LCD displays orother displays capable of displaying data visually to a user. The sensordisplay 240 is also used, in one embodiment, to display the heart rateof the user as determined by the heart rate sensor. Alternatively, thebody fat percentage or other biometric may be displayed on a differentportion of the display 230.

[0062] As a user continues to use the exercise device over time andmeasure his or her biometrics, the console 200 stores values of theuser's biometrics. The progress input 224 may be used to display ahistory of recent measurements or to provide a user with an indicationof how he or she is progressing. For body fat measurements, thegraphical display 240 may display a visual representation of how theuser's body fat percentage has changed over a particular period of time.

[0063] For instance, the display may be a bar chart, pie chart, or othervisual representation of the user's biometrics. In one embodiment, theuser's initial body fat measurement and current body fat measurement aredisplayed. This gives the user an indication of their overall progress.Alternatively, body fat measurements for a specific period of time maybe displayed, thus displaying the user's progress for the specific timeperiod. This enables, for example, a user to track their progress overthe last month. In addition, the user's progress may be displayed interms of time, workout, weight, body fat percentage, and the like.

[0064] The program input 222, such as a switch, button, or othercontroller, utilizes the user's data along with their body fatmeasurement(s) to identify and suggest an exercise program for the user.This aspect of the console 200 uses the body fat measurement incombination with a user's lifestyle to provide or recommend a workoutroutine. A user may be provided with different options that recommendfat grams, carbohydrate grams, total calories, and the like along with aworkout routine. For example, if the lifestyle of a user is to loseweight, then the workout routine is configured accordingly. If a user,on the other hand, simply desires to maintain their current weight, thenthe workout routine is recommended accordingly.

[0065] In one embodiment, when a user begins to use an exercise systemin accordance with the present invention, the user provides user data(height, weight, age, sex, etc.) to the exercise system. The userprovides user data, for example, by inputting the user data through theconsole 200. The user is prompted to update the user data periodicallyor the user can update the user data at any time without being prompted.The biometrics measured by the body fat monitor and the heart ratemonitor can be stored and included in the user data. In one embodiment,as a user exercises, body fat measurements, heart rate measurements,BMI, and the like are added to or associated with the user data input bythe user. As previously stated, the historical values of the biometricmeasurements can be displayed to the user to demonstrate the user'sprogress. When a user exercises, the duration of the exercise session,the calories burned, and other information generated by the exercisesession can become part of or is associated with the user data. Thehistorical data or values, for example, may include the amount of beltrevolutions and belt speed on a treadmill, the amount of revolutions ofthe pedal assembly of an exercise bike, and the like. The program inputcan also utilize the user data to provide a particular workout routinefor the user or to provide a workout routine that uses biometric rangessuch as a target heart rate.

[0066] For example, when the user depresses the program input, themonitoring assembly can provide a workout routine using a portion of theuser data such as the BMI. Alternatively, the monitoring assembly canconsider the user's weight, height, and historical values of body fat toprovide a workout routine. The workout routine provides by themonitoring assembly can also be affected by the information that isgenerated by the user's exercise sessions, such as historical datareflecting how much the user has used the exercise device. One of skillin the art can appreciate that the workout routine can be provided orrecommended using the user data in a variety of different combinations.

[0067]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the monitoring assembly 100. In FIG.3, a biometric circuitry 300 may include, but is not limited to, a heartrate sensor 302 and a body fat sensor 304. The heart rate sensor 302 andthe body fat sensor 304 are both connected to a reference electrode 307.The reference electrode 307 may include one or more reference electrodecontacts as illustrated by reference electrode contacts 214 a, 214 b inFIG. 2. The heart rate sensor is also connected to the electrodes 308(e.g. electrodes 206, 209) while the body fat sensor 304 is connected tothe electrodes 309 (e.g. electrodes 208, 210). Each sensor, when active,generates a signal that is adapted for use with a user's body. The heartrate sensor 302, for example, uses the electrodes 308 and 307 to measurean EKG signal. A signal processor 306 is able to convert the data orsignal from the heart rate sensor 302 into a heart rate. The signalprocessor 306 utilizes the signal or data received from the body fatsensor 304 to generate a resistance or impedance of the user.

[0068] A biometric processor 310 receives data from the biometriccircuitry 300 and displays the measured biometric data on display 230 or240. When measuring the body fat or percent body fat of a user, thebiometric processor 310 receives an impedance from the signal processor306. The biometric processor 310 uses the impedance determined by thebody fat sensor 304, in combination with user data 312 and regressiondata 314, to compute and display the user's body fat percentage on thedisplay 240 or the display 230. As previously indicated, the heart ratesensor, the body fat sensor, and other biometric sensors are configuredsuch that they share at least one common electrode in one embodiment. Inanother embodiment, the electrodes are common to all biometric sensorsbut only one sensor is active at a time.

[0069] In another embodiment, the functionality of the signal processor306 may be collapsed into biometric processor 310. This permits a singleprocessor to compute all of the biometrics that may be measured usingthe console 200. Alternatively, the functionality of the signalprocessor can be collapsed into the body fat sensor 304 and/or the heartrate sensor 306.

[0070]FIG. 3 further illustrates an example of a processing assembly315. The processing assembly 315 includes the body fat sensor 304, thesignal processor 306 and the biometric processor 310. The processingassembly is able to determine a user's body fat percentage as previouslydescribed. A body fat monitor 317, which includes the processingassembly 315, the display 240, the reference electrode 307, and theelectrodes 309, conveys the body fat percentage to the user. The bodyfat monitor also conveys other data to the user as previously described.

[0071] The present invention can also monitor the BMI of multiple usersusing a BMI monitor which is included in the monitoring assembly. TheBMI is computed using the height and weight of a user as definedpreviously. As a user exercises, the user data, including the weight, isupdated at times by the user or by prompting from the BMI monitorthrough the display of the monitoring assembly. The user typicallyupdates his or her weight as his or her weight changes over time. As theuser's weight changes, the BMI of the user also changes. The BMI of eachuser is stored by the BMI monitor and can be displayed to the user. Inaddition, historical values of each user's BMI is also stored by the BMImonitor. Thus, the progress of the user in terms of BMI can also bedisplayed to the user.

[0072] The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes that come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise system comprising: a. an exercisedevice comprising: a frame; and an operable member operably linked tothe frame; and b. a body fat monitor linked to the exercise device,wherein the body fat monitor monitors a body fat of a user of theexercise device.
 2. An exercise system as defined in claim 1, wherein atleast a portion of the body fat monitor is integrated with a consolesupported by the frame.
 3. An exercise system as defined in claim 1,wherein the body fat monitor senses an impedance of the user anddetermines a body fat percentage of the user using at least theimpedance of the user.
 4. An exercise system as defined in claim 1,wherein the body fat monitor comprises: a display for conveying a bodyfat percentage to the user; a processing assembly for computing the bodyfat percentage of the user using at least one regression analysis thatincorporates at least the impedance of the user; and a plurality ofelectrodes used by the processing assembly to determine the impedance ofthe user.
 5. An exercise system as defined in claim 4, wherein at leastthe display and the processing assembly are integrated into a consolelinked to the frame.
 6. An exercise system as defined in claim 4,wherein the processing assembly further comprises: a body fat sensorthat uses the plurality of electrodes to determine the impedance of theuser; and a biometric processor that uses the impedance and user data inthe at least one regression analysis to determine the body fatpercentage of the user.
 7. An exercise system as defined in claim 6,further comprising a heart rate monitor linked to the exercise devicefor determining a heart rate of the user, wherein the heart rate isconveyed to the user on the display.
 8. An exercise system as defined inclaim 8, wherein at least one electrode included in the plurality ofelectrodes is shared by the body fat sensor and the heart rate sensor.9. An exercise system as defined in claim 6, further comprising a bodymass index monitor that monitors a body mass index of a user.
 10. Anexercise system as defined in claim 9, wherein the body mass indexmonitor displays a current body mass index of the user or at least onehistorical value of the user's body mass index and wherein the body massindex is updated when the user data changes.
 11. An exercise system asdefined in claim 6, wherein the body fat monitor further comprises: ameasure input for activating the body fat sensor such that the impedanceof the user is measured when the user is in contact with the pluralityof electrodes; a progress input that causes at least one historicalvalue of the body fat percentage to be displayed on the display; and aprogram input that selects a workout routine for the user based on oneor more measurements of the body fat.
 12. An exercise system comprising:an exercise device comprising: a frame; and an operable member operablylinked to the frame; and a body fat monitor linked to the exercisedevice, the body fat monitor comprising: a processing assembly having abody fat sensor, wherein the processing assembly determines a body fatpercentage of a user; and a display for conveying the body fatpercentage to the user; and a plurality of electrodes in electricalcommunication with the body fat sensor.
 13. An exercise system asdefined in claim 12, wherein the processing assembly determines a bodyfat percentage using one or more of: an impedance of the user sensed bythe body fat sensor; and user data that is accessed by the processingassembly, wherein the user data includes one or more of: a height of theuser; a weight of the user; an age of the user; and a sex of the user.14. An exercise system as defined in claim 13, wherein the processingassembly further comprises a processor that uses at least one regressionanalysis to determine the body fat percentage of the user.
 15. Anexercise system as defined in claim 14, wherein the at least oneregression analysis combines the impedance of the user and user data todetermine the body fat percentage of the user.
 16. An exercise system asdefined in claim 14, wherein the body fat monitor stores user data formore than one user.
 17. An exercise system as defined in claim 12,wherein the body fat monitor further comprises: a first input foractivating the body fat sensor such that the impedance of the user ismeasured; a second input that causes a progress of the user to bedisplayed on the display; and a third input that selects a workoutroutine for the user based on one or more measurements of the body fatpercentage.
 18. An exercise system as defined in claim 12, wherein theplurality of electrodes includes a reference electrode that isconfigured for use by other biometric sensors.
 19. An exercise system asdefined in claim 18, wherein the processing assembly further comprises aheart rate sensor that uses the reference electrode.
 20. An exercisesystem as defined in claim 12, wherein the plurality of electrodes aremounted in one or more handles linked with at least one of the body fatmonitor and the frame of the exercise device.
 21. An exercise system asdefined in claim 20, wherein the plurality of electrodes includes afirst electrode mounted in a first handle and a second electrode mountedin a second handle, wherein the first handle and the second handle eachinclude a contact of a reference electrode.
 22. An exercise system asdefined in claim 13, wherein the plurality of electrodes are used todetermine the impedance of the user.
 23. An exercise system as definedin claim 12, further comprising a body mass index monitor that tracksand displays a body mass index of a user.
 24. An exercise systemcomprising: a frame; an operable member operably linked to the frame;and a body fat monitor linked to at least one of the frame and theoperable member, wherein the body fat monitor comprises: a body fatsensor electrically connected to a first electrode, a second electrode,and a reference electrode, wherein an impedance of a user is measuredusing the first electrode, the second electrode, and the referenceelectrode; and a display for displaying a body fat percentage of theuser, wherein the body fat monitor computes the body fat percentageusing at least one of (i) the impedance of the user and (ii) user data.25. An exercise system as defined in claim 24, wherein the exercisesystem further comprises a heart rate sensor having a first electrodeand a second electrode, wherein the heart rate sensor shares thereference electrode with the body fat sensor.
 26. An exercise system asdefined in claim 24, wherein the body fat monitor further comprises ameasure input that activates the body fat sensor such that an impedanceof a user is measured when the user contacts the first electrode of thebody fat sensor, the second electrode of the body fat sensor, and thereference electrode.
 27. An exercise system as defined in claim 26,wherein the measure input deactivates the heart rate sensor.
 28. Anexercise system as defined in claim 24, wherein the body fat monitorfurther comprises a program input that provides a workout routine forthe user based on measurements from the body fat sensor.
 29. An exercisesystem as defined in claim 24, wherein the body fat monitor storesmeasurements of a user's body fat, wherein the body fat monitor furthercomprises a progress input that displays a progress of the user over aparticular time period using the stored measurements of the user's bodyfat.
 30. An exercise system as defined in claim 24, wherein the body fatmonitor includes a biometric processor that uses the impedance of theuser in combination with the user data stored at the body fat monitor inat least one regression analysis to determine the body fat of the user,wherein the user data includes one or more of: a height of the user; aweight of the user; an age of the user; and a sex of the user.
 31. Anexercise system as defined in claim 30, wherein the biometric processorfurther selects at least one regression analysis based on a body massindex of the user.
 32. An exercise system comprising: a frame; anoperable member operably linked to the frame; and a monitoring assemblylinked to at least one of the frame and the operable member, themonitoring assembly comprising: a first set of electrodes including afirst reference electrode contact; a second set of electrodes includinga second reference electrode contact; a body fat sensor electricallyconnected with the first and second sets of electrodes, the body fatsensor being adapted to measure a body fat percentage of the user whenthe user contacts the first set of electrodes and the second set ofelectrodes; and a heart rate sensor that is electrically connected withthe first and second sets of electrodes, the heart rate sensor using thefirst set of electrodes and the second set of electrodes to determine aheart rate of the user when the user.
 33. An exercise system as definedin claim 32, wherein the heart rate is inactive when the body fat sensoris activated and the body fat sensor is inactive when the heart ratesensor is activated.
 34. An exercise system as defined in claim 32,wherein the monitoring assembly comprises a console having a measureinput, a program input, and a progress input.
 35. An exercise system asdefined in claim 34, wherein the measure input activates the body fatsensor to determine a body fat percentage when the measure input isactivated.
 36. An exercise system as defined in claim 34, wherein theprogram input uses a current measurement of body fat percentage withprevious measurements of body fat percentage to suggest a workoutroutine to the user.
 37. An exercise system as defined in claim 34,wherein the progress input displays the process of a user on the displayusing one or more measurements of body fat percentage.
 38. An exercisesystem as defined in claim 34, wherein the console stores user data forone or more users.
 39. An exercise system as defined in claim 32,wherein the monitoring assembly further comprises a biometric processorthat uses an impedance of the user sensed by the body fat sensor incombination with stored user data in at least one regression analysis todetermine the body fat percentage of the user.
 40. An exercise system asdefined in claim 39, wherein the biometric processor further selects atleast one regression analysis based on a body mass index of the user,wherein the selected at least one regression analysis is used todetermine a body fat percentage of the user.
 41. An exercise system asdefined in claim 39, wherein the biometric processor: selects a firstregression analysis if the body mass index is above a first value;selects a second regression analysis if the body mass index is below asecond value; and averages the first regression analysis with the secondregression analysis if the body mass index is between the first valueand the second value.
 42. An exercise system as defined in claim 32,wherein the body fat sensor and the heart rate sensor are electricallyconnected with the first reference electrode contact and the secondreference electrode contact.
 43. An exercise system as recited in claim32, wherein the first set of electrodes is mounted on a first handle andthe second set of electrodes is mounted on a second handle.
 44. Anexercise system as defined in claim 32, further comprising a body massindex monitor that stores a current body mass index of a user andhistorical body mass index values of the user, wherein the body massindex monitor displays the current body mass index or the historicalbody mass index values of the user on a display.
 45. A monitoringassembly that measures and monitors one or more biometrics of a user foruse with an exercise device, the monitoring assembly comprising:biometric circuitry having: a heart rate sensor electrically connectedto a first heart rate electrode, a second heart rate electrode, a firstreference electrode contact, and a second reference electrode contact;and a body fat sensor electrically connected to a first body fatelectrode, a second body fat electrode, and the first referenceelectrode contact and the second reference electrode contact; a signalprocessor adapted to determine an impedance from the data generated bythe body fat sensor and to determine a heart rate from the datagenerated by the heart rate sensor; a biometric processor that storesuser data and that stores one or more regression analyses, wherein thebiometric processor determines a user's body fat percentage using theimpedance from the signal processor in combination with (i) user dataand (ii) at least one regression analysis selected from the one or moreregression analyses; and a display for displaying a user's body fatpercentage and heart rate.
 46. A monitoring assembly as defined in claim45, wherein the first heart rate electrode, the first body fatelectrode, the first reference electrode contact are mounted in a firsthandle linked with the monitoring assembly.
 47. A monitoring assembly asdefined in claim 45, wherein the second heart rate electrode, the secondbody fat electrode, and the second reference electrode contact aremounted in a second handle linked with the monitoring assembly.
 48. Amonitoring assembly as defined in claim 45, wherein the first heart rateelectrode, the second heart rate electrode, the first body fatelectrode, the second body fat electrode, and the first and secondreference electrode contacts are mounted in a frame of an exercisedevice.
 49. A monitoring assembly as defined in claim 45, furthercomprising: a measure input for activating the body fat sensor such thatthe impedance of the user is measured when a user is in contact with thefirst body fat electrode, the second body fat electrode and thereference electrode; a progress input that causes a progress of the userto be displayed on the display such that at least one historical valueof a body fat percentage is displayed on the display; and a programinput that selects a workout routine for the user based on one or moremeasurements of the body fat percentage.
 50. An exercise systemcomprising: a. an exercise device comprising: a frame; and an operablemember operably linked to the frame; and b. a monitoring assembly linkedto the exercise device, the monitoring assembly including a body fatmonitor, wherein the monitoring assembly provides a workout routine fora user based on user data provided by the user.
 51. An exercise systemas defined in claim 50, wherein the user data provided by the userincludes one or more of: a height of the user; a weight of the user; anage of the user; a sex of the user; a body fat of the user; a body massindex of the user; historical values of the user's body mass index;historical values the user's body fat; a heart rate of the user;historical values the user's heart rate; and historical values of theuser's use of the exercise device.
 52. An exercise system as defined inclaim 50, wherein the user data provided by the user comprises datainput by the user.
 53. An exercise system as defined in claim 50,wherein the user data provided by the user comprises historical datagenerated by the user's use of the exercise device.